Interviews – Your First Occupational Therapy Job | OT DUDE
Example: “I am dedicated to my own professional growth. I know that continuing education is essential to being a successful therapist. Every year, I set aside time to attend at least one conference or workshop. This helps me learn about new treatment methods and strategies. I also subscribe to several occupational therapy newsletters so I can read articles from experts in the field.”
The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have the necessary certification for the role. If you are not certified, they may want to know if you plan on becoming certified in the future. You can answer honestly about your current certification status and discuss any plans you have to become certified in the future.
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work with a variety of patients and their families. They want to know that you can adapt to different personalities, backgrounds and needs. In your answer, try to explain how you have worked with diverse groups in the past and what challenges you might face working with such groups.
OTs work with children of all ages in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private clinics. To be a successful pediatric OT, you need to be able to answer common interview questions about your experience, skills, and motivation for the job. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample responses to pediatric occupational therapist interview questions so you can be prepared to wow your interviewer.
This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personal values align with those of the facility. Your answer should reflect your genuine feelings about working with children, but it’s also important to highlight some of the skills or abilities that children develop through occupational therapy.
I would like to be prepared when going into the interview and would appreciate it if any of you who had a peds interview could let me know of the types of questions that are asked. Any information shared would be helpful.
I have a peds interview this week and would like to know of any questions that might be asked in this setting. It is an outpatient peds clinic with a preschool as well. I have had a few interviews but they have been mostly in acute care.
What did you enjoy most about your previous job or clinical experience?
Unless you had an absolutely horrible experience in your previous clinical position, this should also be a relatively easy question to answer. For me, the response was simple, I loved my co-workers. Therapy departments are truly a family of individuals. You may love your patients, but in the end your co-workers make or break your job. Your new manager wants to make sure you’re a good fit for the environment and speaking of your co-workers in a positive light will speak volumes about your interpersonal relationships within the workplace.
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What do you enjoy most about occupational therapy?
It’s hard to go wrong with your response to this question, especially if you answer honestly. Think about what you led you to the OT field. What have you enjoyed most about your clinical experience so far? When asked this question in my last job interview, I answered with a straight-forward and sincere response. What I enjoy most about working as an occupational therapist is learning about my patient’s stories. Everyone I meet has their own unique and personal story and I’ve learned a lot by asking them about their lives and history.
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FAQ
What are some OT questions to ask?
- How will OT help you get back to your everyday life?
- What can you be doing outside of therapy?
- How will what is happening in the clinic carry over to your home?
- Does your therapist have any specialized training in treating your condition?
How do I prepare for an OT school interview?
Relate your experiences to occupational therapy. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer before you leave for your interview. Research the school you’re interviewing with and familiarize yourself with their program. Try to remain positive during your interview.
What is the role of OT in the pediatric setting?
What questions should I ask at an occupational therapy school interview?
- Tell us about yourself.
- In your own words, what is occupational therapy?
- Why do you want to become an occupational therapist?
- How does occupational therapy differ from physical therapy (and/or speech therapy)?
- What characteristics do you think are required to be a great OT?
